England have revealed their provisional squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the announcement has sparked immediate debate. While fast bowler Jofra Archer has been included despite ongoing fitness issues, wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Smith has been left out of the limited-overs setup entirely, signaling a decisive change in England’s white-ball plans ahead of the global event in India and Sri Lanka.
Joffra Archer supported despite defeat in Ashes
Archer’s inclusion is a key decision, especially after he was ruled out of the Ashes after the third Test due to a left side strain. Despite the injury, the England management has shown confidence in his ability to win matches, inspired by his exceptional performances earlier in the series. Before being sidelined, Archer took nine wickets at an average of 27.11, including a five-wicket haul in Adelaide, and even scored valuable runs with the bat.
The fast bowler left Australia on Boxing Day and is currently rehabilitating in Barbados under the care of the England and Wales Cricket Board medical staff. While he will not play in the upcoming ODI and T20 tour of Sri Lanka starting on January 22, England are hopeful that he will be fully fit to join the squad in India before the opening Group C match against Nepal in Mumbai on February 8.
Josh Tongue rewarded for his fierce form
Another talking point is the inclusion of Josh Tongue, who is uncapped in international limited-overs cricket. Head coach Brendon McCullum and white-ball captain Harry Brook see Tongue as a strike bowler who is able to exploit the flat pitches expected in the subcontinent.
Although relatively inexperienced in T20s, Tang’s recent performances are hard to ignore. He finished as the leading wicket-taker in this year’s Men’s Hundred and impressed during the Ashes, taking a match-winning five-wicket haul at the MCG, earning him player of the match honors in England’s historic Test victory.
Jamie Smith thrown out after failed experiment
The most significant omission is Jamie Smith, who has been dropped from both the T20I and ODI plans. England’s experiment with pushing Smith up the order has not yielded the desired returns, prompting the selectors to move on ahead of a tough World Cup campaign.
Conversely, Ben Duckett has been recalled after missing the T20Is in New Zealand, while Will Jacks has returned after missing the same tour. Jack Crawley is also looking to make a comeback into the ODI setup, aiming to build on his limited experience in the 50-over format.
Injuries and omissions shape England’s plans
England has also had to face a tough challenge due to injuries. Jordan Cox missed out, while fast bowler Saqib Mahmood is recovering from a knee problem that required surgery towards the end of the 2025 domestic season. Brydon Carse will cover for Archer’s absence during the Sri Lanka tour before the fast bowler rejoins the World Cup group.
With a mix of proven stars and bold selections, the provisional England squad shows a clear intention to dominate T20 cricket. However, Archer’s fitness and the gamble on the tongue could ultimately define whether this team performs on the biggest stage in 2026.
England squad for T20 and World Cup in Sri Lanka: Harry Brook, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer (World Cup only), Tom Banton, Jacob Bethel, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse (Sri Lanka tour only), Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tong, Luke Wood.
England squad for ODI in Sri Lanka: Harry Brook, Rehan Ahmed, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethel, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Jack Crawley, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Luke Wood.
